Well, it has come faster than you thought, right? Thanksgiving will soon be over; the season of Advent will begin. Throughout church history, Christians have found it helpful on the Sundays leading up to Christmas to remind themselves of the great mystery that stands at the heart of the Christian message – that God became man for us and for our salvation in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In December, we’ll be thinking about that great theme using the four songs that litter the opening section of the gospel according to Luke. They are, if you like, the very first Christmas carols; songs of joy from Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon, responding to the news of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you look at these songs, you’ll see people standing, as it were, on the edge of the ineffable, the great mystery that God should be joined to humanity in the person of Christ. And that message melts hearts. Prose simply will not do. We must sing! It seems to be the best vehicle for responding to the wonder and the glory of what happens in the birth of Jesus Christ. As we study these songs together we aim to respond in like fashion: so overwhelmed by the glory and grace found in God’s redemptive coming in Jesus we can’t help but burst into praise. If you’d like to get a head start on the reading, here’s the preaching schedule for December: 

Advent Schedule